Record Reviews

HARVEY MANDEL ~ LIVE AT BROADWAY STUDIOS – SAN FRANCISCO ROCK BEAT 3366 (Barcode: 089353336622) ~ USA ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2001 Released: 2018 This is an archival live album by legendary American Blues guitarist / composer Harvey MandelFind albums by this artist, recorded with keyboardist Dave ScottFind albums by this artist, bassist Joe DevitoFind albums by this artist and drummer John UlenFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, all of which are original compositions by Mandel, including many of his signature tunes. Mandel enjoyed a meteoric career during his early days on the scene, playing with Canned HeatFind albums by this artist, John MayallFind albums by this artist’s BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist and even a brief stint with the Rolling StonesFind albums by this artist, which was followed by less prominent activity, which still continues to this very day. Mandel’s guitar sound and phrasing are completely unique and as such are highly admired by many other guitar players. He mixes several techniques he invented and perfected, that put him in his own category of guitar virtuosos. He really deserves to be discovered by the true guitar lovers of all ages, as his relative anonymity is a crying shame. This live recording offers relatively long explorations, full of brilliant guitar playing, which portrays Mandel’s abilities at their more explosive display, including a fourteen minutes long version of his composition “Wade In The Water”. The sound quality of this album is quite exceptional and offers an unedited document of the performance without any sound manipulation, which makes it very authentic. Overall, this is an excellent opportunity to get to know or revisit one of the lesser known heroes of the American Blues-Rock scene and hear some highly unusual guitar playing, with certain Jazz influences, which remains as fresh and enticing as it was fifty plus years ago, when he first appeared on the scene.

Updated: 08/06/2023Posted: 08/06/2023

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

HARVEY MANDEL ~ SNAKE BOX PURPLE PYRAMID 3014 (Barcode: 889466301421) ~ USA ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 1968 - 1972 Released: 2022 This is a 6CD Box Set by American Blues-Rock guitarist / composer Harvey MandelFind albums by this artist, which collects his first five solo albums and a bonus CD with a previously unreleased 1968 live recording at the Matrix club. The albums are “Cristo RedentorFind albums with this title” (1968), “RighteousFind albums with this title” (1969), “Games Guitars PlayFind albums with this title” (1970), “Baby BatterFind albums with this title” (1971) and “The SnakeFind albums with this title” (1972). Mandel enjoyed a meteoric career during his early days on the scene, playing with Canned HeatFind albums by this artist, John MayallFind albums by this artist’s BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist and even a brief stint with the Rolling StonesFind albums by this artist, which was followed by less prominent activity, which still continues to this very day. The musicians who play alongside Mandel on these early albums include many legendary musicians of the period, including keyboardists Graham BondFind albums by this artist and Barry GoldbergFind albums by this artist, bassist Larry TaylorFind albums by this artist and others. Most of the music was composed by Mandel. Mandel’s guitar sound and phrasing are completely unique and as such highly admired by many other guitar players. He mixes several techniques he invented and perfected, that put him in his own category of guitar virtuosos. This Box Set is a reprint of the same Box Set released in 2015, offering no bonus tracks and very basic packaging and sketchy liner notes, as usual in such cases, but the music is brilliant from start to finish. Overall, this is an excellent opportunity to get to know one of the lesser known heroes of the American Blues-Rock scene and hear some highly unusual guitar playing, with certain Jazz influences, which remains as fresh and enticing as it was fifty plus years ago, when it was recorded.

Updated: 01/05/2022Posted: 01/05/2022

CD 6 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

HARVEY MANDEL ~ SNAKE PIT TOMPKINS SQUARE 5296 (Barcode: 856225005296) ~ USA ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 This is the fifteenth studio album by legendary American Blues-Rock guitarist / composer Harvey MandelFind albums by this artist, recorded with keyboardist Ben BoyeFind albums by this artist, bassist Anton HatwichFind albums by this artist, drummer Ryan JewellFind albums by this artist, guitarist Brian SulpizioFind albums by this artist and conga player Jose NajeraFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, seven of which are original compositions by Mandel. Mandel enjoyed a meteoric career during his early days on the scene, playing with Canned HeatFind albums by this artist, John MayallFind albums by this artist’s BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist and even a brief stint with the Rolling StonesFind albums by this artist, which was followed by less prominent activity, which still continues to this very day. Mandel’s guitar sound and phrasing are completely unique and as such are highly admired by many other guitar players. He mixes several techniques he invented and perfected, that put him in his own category of guitar virtuosos. He really deserves to be discovered by the true guitar lovers of all ages, as his relative anonymity is a crying shame. Overall, this is an excellent opportunity to get to know or revisit one of the lesser known heroes of the American Blues-Rock scene and hear some highly unusual guitar playing, with certain Jazz influences, which remains as fresh and enticing as it was fifty plus years ago, when he first appeared on the scene.

Updated: 24/02/2023Posted: 24/02/2023

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

HARVEY MANDEL ~ WHO`S CALLING TOMPKINS SQUARE 5920 (Barcode: 856225005920) ~ USA ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is an album by legendary American Blues guitarist / composer Harvey MandelFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio format with bassist Andy HessFind albums by this artist and drummer Ryan JewellFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Mandel. Mandel enjoyed a meteoric career during his early days on the scene, playing with Canned HeatFind albums by this artist, John MayallFind albums by this artist’s BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist and even a brief stint with the Rolling StonesFind albums by this artist, which was followed by less prominent activity, which still continues to this very day. Mandel’s guitar sound and phrasing are completely unique and as such are highly admired by many other guitar players. He mixes several techniques he invented and perfected, that put him in his own category of guitar virtuosos. Overall, this is an excellent opportunity to get to know or revisit one of the lesser known heroes of the American Blues-Rock scene and hear some highly unusual guitar playing, with certain Jazz influences, which remains as fresh and enticing as it was fifty plus years ago, when he first appeared on the scene

Updated: 21/01/2023Posted: 21/01/2023

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

JOHN MAYALL ~ BLUES FROM LAUREL CANYON (EXPANDED EDITION) DECCA 840839 (Barcode: 602498408391) ~ UK ~ Blues Recorded: 1968 Released: 2007 9th album by John MayallFind albums by this artist, and his most personal and intimate statement to date. Following the decision to disband the Bare WiresFind albums with this title version of the BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist Mayall immediately formed a new quartet, retaining only Mick TaylorFind albums by this artist from the previous group and adding two exceptional young musicians: Steve ThompsonFind albums by this artist on bass and Colin AllenFind albums by this artist on drums. The material for the new album was written during Mayall’s vacation in California, where he stayed in the Laurel Canyon near LA, a favorite living area of many US musicians. During his stay Mayall met and socialized with fellow musicians, such as members of the blues band Canned HeatFind albums by this artist and Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist and his Mothers Of InventionFind albums by this artist, and even dedicated two of the songs on the album to them. The entire album was designed as a one continuous flow of music, with one song smoothly leading into another without any breaks. The magic atmosphere is completely unique and the complex and subtle musical themes make it one of the most remarkable albums recorded in the 1960s. In many respects this album was an end of a phase in Mayall’s long musical road. It was the last album on DeccaFind albums on this label (he would sign with PolydorFind albums on this label next), the last purely UK based album (he would play with many US musicians later on and eventually move to live in the US), the last of the pure blues albums (the next phase would be much more jazz influenced). In retrospect the John Mayall Decca recordings are one of the greatest documents of the 1960s UK music scene and an everlasting, timeless source of musical inspiration. Essential!

Updated: 24/10/2021Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

STEPHEN STILLS / MANASSAS ~ MANASSAS ATLANTIC 075678280825 (Barcode: 075678280825) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1972 Released: 1996 This is the debut album by the short-lived excellent band ManassasFind albums by this artist led by legendary American Rock icon Stephen StillsFind albums by this artist which also included ex-ByrdsFind albums by this artist / Flying Burrito BrothersFind albums by this artist vocalist / guitarist Chris HillmanFind albums by this artist, guitarist Al PerkinsFind albums by this artist, bassist Calvin SamuelsFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Paul HarrisFind albums by this artist, drummer Dallas TaylorFind albums by this artist and percussionist Joe LalaFind albums by this artist. Rolling StonesFind albums by this artist bassist Bill WymanFind albums by this artist guests on several tracks. The original double LP album presents twenty one excellent songs, split across the four sides of the two LPs with a separate subtitle for each of the sides, all bar one written or co-written by Stills and superbly performed by the band. Stills emerges on the album not only as a first rate vocalist, guitarist and bandleader but primarily as a superb songwriter, cementing his status initiated as a member of Buffalo SpringfieldFind albums by this artist and Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungFind albums by this artist, where he already contributed some of his finest creations and his material featured on the two solo albums released before forming Manassas. Musically the album epitomizes the best of American Rock, which emerged from the amalgam of Blues, Folk and Country music with electric Rock And Roll. Plenty of heartfelt vocals, excellent vocal harmonies and surging guitar work supported by rock steady rhythm section were the ingredients of the irresistible formula that American Rock knew how to push to the max at the time. In retrospect this album is often considered as one of the top achievements of American Classic Rock in the 1970s, listed side by side such albums as Derek And The DominosFind albums by this artist masterpiece "Layla And Other Assorted Love SongsFind albums with this title". Dedicated to the great and prematurely dead American Rock Heroes: Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist, Al WilsonFind albums by this artist (of Canned HeatFind albums by this artist) and Duane AllmanFind albums by this artist, Stills clearly defines his influences and pays tribute to the fallen victims of the demanding Rock careers. An essential piece of the American Classic Rock heritage, this album is a must in any serious Classic Rock collection and definitely worth to be re-discovered by the new generations of listeners.

Updated: 18/01/2019Posted: 18/01/2019

CD 1 HDCD Remastered Recommend To A Friend